Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson.Photo:Lex18.com
Lex18.com
Two Kentucky women are claiming they were sexually assaulted during a stop in the Bahamas while on a Carnival cruise, and a police investigation is underway.
In apress releaseshared on Facebook, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said two men — ages 54 and 40 — were arrested Sunday in Grand Bahama after being accused of sexually assaulting two women, whose identities were not made public.
“Preliminary reports indicate the incident occurred shortly after 12 noon, while the females were visiting a beach in Central Grand Bahama,” police said. “Active police investigations continue into this matter.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force to confirm the identities of the women.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a separate press release sent to PEOPLE that paramedics “offered emergency medical services to the victims, which they declined, signing a waiver and then leaving for their cruise ship in a private vehicle.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
“Recognizing the gravity of the incident, our officers boarded the cruise ship, providing a sexual assault kit and hospital form to the ship’s medical doctor and obtained signed statements from the victims,” police said.
Police added, “The RBPF is collaborating closely with the FBI in this ongoing investigation. Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ms. Shanta Knowles, who oversees Grand Bahama, is personally ensuring that the investigation is conducted with the utmost level of professionalism and care.”
In a statement to PEOPLE regarding the allegations, a Carnival Cruise Line representative said, “While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.”
“Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville,” they added. “Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.”
The Carnival representative also said that staff aboard ships “routinely shares guidance on keeping safe while ashore.”
PEOPLE reached out to a lawyer representing both accusers Thursday but did not immediately hear back.
The allegations come shortly after the U.S. State Departmentissued a level 2 advisoryfor the Bahamas due to crime rates. In an online notice shared on Jan. 26, the agency advised travelers to “exercise increased caution” in the area and the water.
source: people.com
